1The words of King Lemuel, the burden which his mother taught him: 2What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink; 5lest they drink, and forget the Law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is about to die, and wine to one who is of a heavy soul. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the judgment of all those sentenced to destruction. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the case of the poor and needy. 10Who can find a woman of strength? For her value is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands. 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. 15She also rises while it is still night, and prepares food for her household, and portions for her maidservants. 16She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She girds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18She tastes that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night. 19She reaches her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20She extends her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers clothing to the merchants. 25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29Many daughters have dealt with strength, but you have excelled them all. 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 (Pro. 31:1-31)
On the title of this, the sixth part of the book, see Introduction.
prophecy--(See on
Pro 30:1).
2 What, my son?--that is, What shall I say? Repetitions denote earnestness.
son of my womb--as our phrase, "my own son," a term of special affection.
son of my vows--as one dedicated to God; so the word "Lemuel" may mean.
3 Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence.
strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort.
thy ways--or course of life.
to that . . . kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare
Pro 5:9;
Pro 7:22,
Pro 7:27;
Hos 4:11).
4 Stimulants enfeeble reason, pervert the heart, and do not suit rulers, who need clear and steady minds, and well-governed affections (compare
Pro 20:1;
Pro 22:29).
pervert . . . afflicted--They give unrighteous decisions against the poor.
6 The proper use of such drinks is to restore tone to feeble bodies and depressed minds (compare
Ps 104:15).
8 Open . . . cause--Plead for those who cannot plead for themselves, as the orphan, stranger, &c. (compare
Ps 72:12;
Isa 1:17).
appointed to destruction--who are otherwise ruined by their oppressors (compare
Pro 29:14,
Pro 29:16).
10 This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books).
Who . . . woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare
Pro 18:22;
Pro 19:14).
virtuous--literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage (compare
Pro 12:4;
Ruth 3:11).
her price, &c.--(compare
Pro 3:15).
11 heart . . . trust in her--He relies on her prudence and skill.
no need of spoil--does not lack profit or gain, especially, that obtained by the risk of war.
12 do . . . good--contribute good to him.
13 Ancient women of rank thus wrought with their hands; and such, indeed, were the customs of Western women a few centuries since. In the East also, the fabrics were articles of merchandise.
15 She diligently attends to expending as well as gathering wealth;
16 and hence has means to purchase property.
17 To energy she adds a watchfulness in bargains, and a protracted and painful industry. The last clause may figuratively denote that her prosperity (compare
Pro 24:20) is not short lived.
19 No work, however mean, if honest, is disdained.
20 Industry enables her to be charitable.
21 scarlet--or, "purple," by reason of the dyes used, the best fabrics; as a matter of taste also; the color suits cold.
22 coverings of tapestry--or, "coverlets," that is, for beds.
silk--or, "linen" (compare
Exod 26:1;
Exod 27:9)
and purple--that is, the most costly goods.
23 in the gates--(compare
Pro 22:22). His domestic comfort promotes his advancement in public dignity.
24 fine linen--or, "linen shirts," or the material for them.
girdles--were often costly and highly valued (
2Sam 18:11).
delivereth--or, "giveth as a present" or "to sell."
25 Strength and honour--Strong and beautiful is her clothing; or, figuratively, for moral character, vigorous and honorable.
shall rejoice . . . come--in confidence of certain maintenance.
26 Her conversation is wise and gentle.
27 (Compare
1Tim 5:14;
Titus 2:5). She adds to her example a wise management of those under her control.
28 She is honored by those who best know her.
29 The words are those of her husband, praising her.
virtuously--(Compare
Pro 31:10).
30 Favour--or, "Grace" of personal manner.
beauty--of face, or form (compare
Pro 11:22). True piety alone commands permanent respect and affection (
1Pet 3:3).
31 The result of her labor is her best eulogy. Nothing can add to the simple beauty of this admirable portrait. On the measure of its realization in the daughters of our own day rest untold results, in the domestic, and, therefore, the civil and religious, welfare of the people.